Under a sky filled with sand and ash, Najah Ahmed holds her swollen belly with one hand and the rusted door of her shipping container home with the other, bracing against the wind.
The storms of Yemen show no mercy, nor does the constant uncertainty of life in Suwayda Camp, north of Marib.
Pregnant with her second child, Najah endures without running water, reliable food, or medical care. Her husband’s salary, when it comes, is months late.
Like thousands of displaced Yemeni women, she waits “for aid, for relief, for something better.”
“Life here lacks even the basics,” she told The New Arab. “We’ve learned to adapt, but the sand finds its way into everything, and the storms show no mercy.”
69% of women suffering from anaemia
Yemen, situated in a semi-desert region, faces frequent and severe sandstorms, especially in coastal areas like Taiz, Aden, al-Hudaydah, and Hadramout, as well as desert regions such as Marib and al-Jawf.
These sandstorms, which occur one to five times a year, bring winds that can exceed 50 km/h, reducing visibility to less than one kilometre.
Like thousands of other pregnant women, Najah struggles to access basic care as Marib’s healthcare system, already fragile before the 2015 conflict, is overwhelmed by the influx of displaced people, leaving most pregnant women without proper care.
This devastation is not isolated to Marib. The ongoing conflict has wreaked havoc on Yemen’s healthcare infrastructure as a whole, leaving countless women and families without access to essential medical care.
According to the city’s healthcare office, over 70 percent of pregnant women in refugee camps are unable to receive proper maternal care, nearly two-thirds of these camps lack functional health facilities, and sandstorms make it even harder for healthcare workers to reach those in desperate need.
As a result, many women, like Najah, face severe health challenges. In fact, nearly 69 percent of Yemeni women suffer from anaemia, a dangerous condition caused by chronic malnutrition — a particularly risky concern for expectant mothers.
The lack of reliable transportation makes matters worse, as the nearest hospital is half an hour away by car and lacks an operating room, creating a terrifying reality for women who need specialised care, such as a cesarean section.
“There’s no way to get proper medical care,” Najah said. “I just hope I can avoid complications.”
‘We just need support’
Unsurprisingly, the relentless sandstorms have disrupted every aspect of daily life. Najah cooks outdoors because there is no separate kitchen, and the swirling sand contaminates her and her family’s food.
“We just need support — emotional, financial, anything from anyone who cares,” she says. “There’s no suitable place to bring my baby into the world.”
Nearby, in Sumaya Camp, Um Mohammed faces the same challenges.
The unyielding sun, bitter cold, and choking dust harm her skin, eyes, and lungs. When sandstorms hit, she has little choice but to protect her children as their shelter is torn apart, scattering blankets, cooking tools, and the few belongings they have left.
“We suffer from skin conditions, ear infections, and tonsillitis,” Um Mohammed told The New Arab.
Pregnant and dealing with anaemia, calcium deficiency, and kidney issues, Um Mohammed added that she has struggled to access medical care. She miscarried after carrying water at their previous camp, and now, in even worse conditions, her deteriorating health leaves her barely able to care for her children.
“I’ve received no support from the community or aid groups,” she says. “But I still hope for better days, a safe shelter, medical care, and relief from the storms. I leave it in God’s hands. One day, things must get better.”
A threat to public health and stability
According to a 2021 systemic review, sandstorms significantly increase health risks for pregnant women, leading to complications during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as adverse effects on fetal development.
Additionally, these storms transport disease-causing microorganisms over long distances, heightening the risk of infectious diseases, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Environmental engineer Abbad Mohammed al-Ansi explained that sandstorms are most common in arid regions without natural windbreaks like mountains or vegetation.
“Many parts of Yemen, including Marib, fall into this category, making them highly susceptible to sandstorms, especially in desert areas,” he told The New Arab.
He also pointed out that the worsening sandstorm conditions in Yemen are due to the decline in desertification control efforts. Without action, these storms could continue to threaten public health and stability.
More than 15,000 families affected
In Marib, the recent sandstorms have impacted 73 displacement sites, affecting over 21,000 families, including expectant mothers. More than 15,000 families are still struggling to access healthcare, as several medical facilities have been destroyed.
Nasser al-Saeedi, the technical deputy at Marib’s Public Health and Population Office, highlighted the dire situation, noting that 69% of displacement camps lack functional health facilities, making the delivery of essential health services a significant challenge.
“Environmental conditions are exacerbating respiratory diseases and straining an already overburdened healthcare system, which provided approximately 8.2 million health services in 2024 to both displaced populations and host communities,” he explained.
Nasser also pointed out that shortages in essential medical equipment and pharmaceuticals are hindering adequate healthcare provision, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children, who are most affected by these conditions.
“The sandstorms have also disrupted the ability of medical teams to reach remote displacement camps, further compounding the crisis,” he added.
Addressing challenges
Saeef Mathna, director of the Executive Unit for IDP Camp Management, weighed in, stating that the storms had caused extensive damage to tents, leaving hundreds of families without shelter.
In response, the unit swiftly provided emergency relief, distributing tents and essential supplies to over 1,2000 families directly affected by the storms.
The Executive Unit also worked to repair damaged sanitation systems and install new water tanks to replace those destroyed by flying sand and strong winds.
“We face daily challenges in ensuring continued support for displaced families under these severe conditions,” Saeef said. “We have implemented immediate interventions to mitigate the health risks stemming from infrastructure damage.”
Despite these ongoing efforts, Saeef acknowledged that the needs far exceed current relief capacities, with only 12% of actual requirements being met.
Currently, the team is working closely with humanitarian organisations to enhance preparedness for future sandstorms. These efforts include upgrading protective infrastructure and constructing more resilient shelters to withstand harsh weather conditions.
However, these measures face significant challenges.
Saeef emphasised, “These efforts are insufficient to fully address the challenges faced by pregnant women, particularly due to the ongoing lack of medical care and proper shelter.”
Salman Alrubaie is a freelance writer from Yemen
This article is published in collaboration with Egab
